Discover what a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) entails and how it benefits international students in Canada. Learn about PGWP eligibility criteria, post graduate work permit processing time, and the avenues it opens for permanent residency and career development in Canada.
What is post graduate work permit in Canada?
A Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit granted to foreign students upon completion of their studies in Canada. PGWP holders are free to work anywhere in Canada for any employer for as many hours as they like.
PGWPs are an excellent method to gain priceless work experience in Canada and are valid for eight months to three years. Having work experience in Canada opens up many doors for a person seeking permanent residency in Canada.
International students who have completed their studies at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) are eligible to apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). Open work permits, or PGWPs, allow foreign people to work in Canada for any company, wherever they choose.
The PGWP does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), in contrast to the majority of work permits in Canada. PGWPs give qualified graduates the chance to obtain useful job experience in Canada.
Also Read: Work in Canada after graduation
Post graduate work permit eligibility
For a foreign national to be eligible for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), they need to have completed at least eight months of full-time study in Canada and be at least eighteen years old.
They must have completed a program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) as part of the study program. Additionally, a foreign national has 180 days from the end of their academic program to apply for a work permit.
An applicant must have a valid status at the time of application if they are applying from within Canada. Before applying for Post Graduate Work Permit, they may apply for guest status if their study permit has expired or is about to expire.
On the other hand, candidates who apply for a PGWP before their study permit expires can start working full-time right away while their application is being processed. Applicants from abroad are eligible to apply for a PGWP.
Post graduate work permit processing time
The processing time of a PGWP might range from 80 to 180 days. As long as you applied before your student permit expires, you are allowed to work in Canada while you wait for your PGWP.
From the moment you fulfil all program criteria, you have 180 days to apply for your PGWP.
You can apply for a PGWP from abroad if you leave Canada after completing your education. Applications for work permits after graduation were previously restricted to submissions from within Canada. Depending on which visa office processes the application, more documentation can be needed if a PGWP application is filed from outside of Canada.
Also Read: Part-time Work Permit in Canada
How soon after my PGWP expires may I apply for a work permit?
A PGWP does not preclude you from subsequently submitting an application for another work permit. If you meet the requirements, you are free to apply for an LMIA or LMIA-exempt visa; however, since you have work experience in Canada, you should also think about applying for permanent residency.
Candidates having Canadian job experience can apply for the following immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Quebec Immigration Options
In this article, we discussed what is post-graduate work permit in canada. The PGWP is an important way for international students who have finished their studies in Canada to get work experience and ride the waves of their careers in the country.
Being clear about the post-graduate work permit eligibility guidelines, the application process, and the pros of the PGWP helps by creating a way post-study options for graduates in Canada.
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